Book Chatter

Sunday Matters

It’s weird how we float between normal and not normal, isn’t it? Some days I feel really good. Other days, like yesterday I am walking across a parking lot in 110 degree heat with a mask on wondering how we all got here.

Right Now:

Meh. That about sums it up. No plans. Too hot.

This Week:

The first week of classes for my daughter went well. This week will be more of the same. She goes in for her textbooks on Monday.

I have a book club event on Wednesday but this time we watched a documentary on our own and didn’t read a book. Our club is based on “Conversations” now. So movie, book, show… haha. No live shows right now.

Reading:

I reviewed In a Dark, Dark Wood this past week. Right after I finished, I picked up The End of the Day by Bill Clegg. It’s a totally different kind of book so it was a little slow for me to start but I’ve settled into it nicely. Both books were on my summer reading list so that means I have one more book on that list to read! I can’t believe it.

Watching:

I haven’t discovered anything new to watch although I have plenty on my to-watch list. When I have time to watch something I’d rather just go upstairs, change into PJs and read a book. TVs just not that interesting right now.

Grateful for:

My son got a promotion. That’s right. He’s only been on the job since the end of June and he is now a supervisor for the hotel he works for.
The fires that we’ve had here over the past week have been dealt with quickly. This 110 degree heat does not help but I am grateful that our firefighters are so on top of it!
Book sales. I grabbed three books at the used book sale this past week. See my stash below.

Three books

What’s new with you? I heard that Starbucks is going to bring out the Pumpkin Spice everything on 8/25 because we are all ready for 2020 to end. Wonder what their cup design will be this year.

In a Dark, Dark Wood
By Ruth Ware
Gallery/Scout Press, 9781501112331, April 2016, 352pp.

The Short of It:

Not too many twists and not much going on in the woods but I still found myself glued to its pages.

The Rest of It:

Nora receives an invitation to Clare’s hen party, which is essentially a bride’s last hurrah at being single but what Nora can’t understand is why? Why her? She hasn’t seen Clare in ten years and it wasn’t all that great between them when they were last together. But when Nora sees that Nina, a mutual friend was also invited, she reaches out to her and they make a pact to attend together.

This was a quick, page-turner and yes, it’s a little predictable, but it was still enjoyable and Ware is good at stringing you along. Right from the beginning you know as a reader that this hen party is not a good idea. A small group, and some very strong personalities. Add to that a lot of drinking and foolishness and you just know it can’t end well.

Overall, I was very entertained by these characters. Some of their actions seemed a little over-the-top and could have used a bit more explanation but I was happily immersed in the drama of it all. That’s what we all need now. Drama that we can easily pick up and put down and drama that is not our own!

It’s being marketed as a thriller but I’d say it’s pretty mild in that department. It’s just a fun way to spend a lazy afternoon. If you’ve read Ware’s books before, I’d say this is one of the better ones.

Source: Purchased
Disclosure: This post contains Indiebound affiliate links.

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